Friday, February 14, 2014

Peppermill faces $1M fine for slot machine spying

RENO, Nev. (AP) — A Reno casino faces a $1 million fine after regulators said an employee had been using a special key to gather proprietary information about other casinos' slot machines since at least 2011.

"The actions, as set forth herein, constitute a failure by Peppermill Casinos to conduct gaming operations in accordance with proper standards of custom, decorum and decency," the three-count complaint said, adding that they could "reflect discredit upon the State of Nevada or the gaming industry."

According to the complaint, a Peppermill corporate analyst, Ryan Tors, was caught using a "reset key" in slot machines at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno in July. Security detained him and contacted the Gaming Control Board, which launched an investigation.

Authorities said the Peppermill encouraged Tors to visit competitors' casinos and use the key, which unlocks information about how loose a slot machine is. The key also allows the user to put machines in and out of service, to adjust sound, and to access playing history.

Prior to starting ComSec LLC in 2007, Mr. LeaSure was active within the counterespionage, counterterrorism and TSCM fields for 26 years. He has attained the prestigious CCISM, Certified Counterespionage Information Security Management Certification. He also has extensive training, knowledge and experience in the identification of eavesdropping devices, espionage detection methods and the intelligence collection tactics most often employed by perpetrators of electronic espionage.

J.D. LeaSure is also the Director of the Espionage Research Institute International (ERII). As Director, he is tasked with ensuring the organization is successful in its mission to provide continuing education, facilitate professional relationship building and ensure the counterespionage & counterintelligence skill sets of its membership remains current as espionage tactics and devices evolve.